Lake Madine was artificially created in 1971 in the plain of Woëvre to supply drinking water to the city of Metz. Today, it is the largest body of water in Lorraine. The shallow coves located in its western part are conducive to the development of flora and avifauna. A major part of the lake is bordered by reed beds or pondweed beds. These temporary mudflats are home to more than 200 species of shorebirds that feed on their abundant aquatic life.